Just two days after I created my account on the government's site, I was notified via email that there was a change in my application status and I could log-in and review it. Great! That was fast! I put in my user name, and then… Wait. I had just created this password TWO DAYS ago. Was this one that had to have capital letters or not? Or did it have a special character?

I tried a few things I thought it could be, but came up with nothing. I had to click the "Forgot Password" link, and I guarantee that won't be the last time if I'm left to my brain to make sure that all of my passwords for every site I use are both robust and unique.

It's time for a password manager.

I'm not the only person who has this problem. In fact, I bet every one of you reading this at some point or another has had to click the "Forgot Password" link on a website you could swear you remembered your password for—until you didn't.

What makes for a good password? Any security professional knows they should be "long and strong" with a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Turning a phrase into a password can help with remembering. And please, don't use your pet's name. Or any other single word, for that matter. And change them frequently.

(Oh yeah, and there is danger in sharing that Netflix or HBO Go password. Try to resist the urge to just let that be since so many of your nearest and dearest are pirating your $9.99 service.)